“The most important thing to us in creating the route for the 2013 USA Pro Challenge was to find a course that would be safe and challenging for the riders, while providing ideal viewing locations for the crowds of spectators,” said Shawn Hunter, CEO of the USA Pro Challenge.

The two new cities, Loveland and Fort Collins, will be featured in the penultimate stage of the race on Aug. 24, when contenders will have to make a move before the final time trial stage in Denver. Stage 6 will start on the plains, but aggressive climbers will have a chance to amp it up when the race heads up Big Thompson Canyon and into Devils Gulch before hitting Estes Park. Continue reading →

Do athletes on synthetic turf fields risk exposure to lead and other toxic metals? Hard to know, because many schools don’t want to test their fields. Photo by Bob Berwyn.

New Jersey tests show possible risk of elevated exposure to lead

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Health experts have known for years that potentially toxic heavy metals are present in many synthetic playing fields, either the in fake blades of grass, or in the rubber particles used as infill.

Significant exposure to the metals, including lead, chromium, arsenic and cadmium, can pose health risks, and a recent study done for the New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection suggests there is a need for widespread testing of synthetic fields to try and calculate how high the exposure levels can be.

With 22 players running up and down a field, “It is highly likely that a significant particulate cloud can be created on the field and may persist in light wind conditions and certainly on indoor fields for significant portions of the game,” according to the study. Continue reading →

New committee to emphasize health, winter resources and the environment as a basis for hosting the games

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — Health care professionals, former Olympic athletes, tourism experts and others have formed a new committee to explore the feasibility of making a bid for the Winter Olympics.

According to a press release, the Denver Exploratory Committee will identify the opportunities and challenges of a bid based on facts gathered by many others who have worked on this issue over a long period.

The committee will examine the financial issues, the feasibility and the economic impact of a potential bid and answer questions about such things as protocol, timing, venue requirements and process. Committee members will then present their findings to Gov. John Hickenlooper and Mayor Michael Hancock. Continue reading →

Colorado cycling will be showcased with a slew of races and other special events.

Explore the Centennial State on two wheels

By Summit Voice

SUMMIT COUNTY — From townie cruisers to body armored downhillers and sleek road-racers, Colorado is a true Mecca for cyclists, and this summer’s lineup of special events underscores the point.

In August, some of the world’s best road racers will be in the state for the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, while top mountain bikers will line up to tackle the Leadville 100 and a marathon-length race up Pikes Peak.

And besides all that, the BMX scene is also growing by leaps and bounds, with the opening of a new track in South Park and another under construction in Frisco.

In short, there’s never been a better time to explore Colorado on two wheels. Here is a partial listing of Colorado cycling adventures for every speed:

• August 13 – The Leadville Trail 100 Mountain Bike Race is among the most challenging mountain bike races in the country, featuring steep climbs and serious descents at elevations in excess of 12,000 feet. Although this year’s mountain bike race is full, thousands will travel to Leadville to watch and cheer on their favorites .

• August 13 – The Stonewall Century is a challenging road bike ride in southern Colorado that starts and ends in La Veta. Be treated to scenic vistas, friendly volunteers, great feed stations, and steep hills. The route follows Highway 12, a Colorado Scenic Byway known as the “Highway of Legends.” Continue reading →

SUMMIT COUNTY — The International Olympic Committee quickly picked PyeongChang, South Korea as the host city for the 2010 Winter Olympics, reaching a decision on the first ballot at about 8:20 a.m. Mountain Time.

SUMMIT COUNTY — Breck Bike Week is going big this year, with events including a countdown to the start of the USA Pro Cycling Challenge, group rides, mechanical clinics and even a mountain bike ride with Breckenridge Mayor and cyclist John Warner.

“Breckenridge strives to kindle a new passion for sports, especially mountain and road biking, through events like our annual Bike Week,” Warner said. “Bike Week brings the best manufacturers to town so that visitors and locals can experience the latest and greatest equipment. We marry the high-tech side with easily-accessible activities such as paved bike paths and poker rides. We love bikes and bike events.”

With access to a trail network spanning more than 1,000 miles of Summit County, Breckenridge has a well-deserved reputation as a summer cycling destination. Many trails (which serve as routes for both amateur and professional races) are preexisting paths and flumes used by miners in search of gold. Road cyclists can explore the surrounding counties via mountain passes, bike paths and state highways. Continue reading →

Thanks to clean record for the last two years and a revamped NFL drug policy, Broncos outside linebacker Von Miller has been discharged from the league's drug program and will no longer be subject to multiple tests a week, an NFL source confirmed.

Sunday brought an uptick of intensity to the Broncos' training camp . On the eve of the first padded practice of training camp, the first "fight" broke out between defensive end Derek Wolfe and offensive tackle Ryan Harris.

TURNBERRY, Scotland (AP) — As Inbee Park hunted down Jin-Young Ko in the final stretch of the Women's British Open, it quickly became clear which South Korean was the rookie and which was the player about to add another chapter in golf's record book.